Britain in the world
The Britain in the World research strand studies British external policy and policy presentation on an interdisciplinary basis. The work in this theme will involve the active participation of, and will be of use to, a variety of user-groups, including academics, politicians, diplomats and journalists. The research strand falls into two main areas of investigation: British external policy and policy presentation.
British external policy
Increasing global interdependence and greater interconnectedness between domestic and foreign activities means that new directions are called for in the study of national foreign policies. Traditionally conceived as the study of ‘what the Foreign Office’ does, British foreign policy now influences, and is influenced by, a whole range of government departments, as well as the activities and actions of international organisations, non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations and national and transnational pressure groups.
Research carried out under the British external policy theme will explore the decisions and policies of British governments since 1997 in an effort to:
- understand key developments in foreign policy, defence and security policy, and foreign economic policy;
- explain policy formation and decision-making processes;
- evaluate the extent to which New Labour has brought about a step change in British foreign policy since 1997.
Policy presentation
The architects of the New Labour project have paid particular attention to policy presentation. Whether we call this ‘spin’ or more simply see it as a natural response to the impact and influence of a 24-hour a day global news media, the presentation of policy in the most favourable light possible has been all important. Seemingly under New Labour, as much attention has been paid to media and communications strategies has it has to policy content, the two being seen as inextricably linked.
Research carried out under the policy presentation theme will:
- examine how British governments since 1997 have represented British external policy;
- explore the media and communications dimensions of external policy-making;
- analyse New Labour’s relations with the media in all its forms: written, broadcast and internet.
Projects
Current and planned projects include:
- ‘British Foreign Policy, Challenges, Change and Controversy’
Contact
Dr Oliver Daddow Direct line: +44 (0)1509 222992 |
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